Loren Jacobson, who took the chief financial officer position at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital on an interim basis, has quit the post for the purpose of retiring.

Jacobson accepted the position in January and agreed to stay through the hospital’s move into the new medical center, Cabinet Peaks Medical Center. However, when the move was pushed to next year, Jacobsen retired.

“He has been spending the winters in Arizona,” said Katheryn Stephens, St. John’s Lutheran Hospital Foundation and marketing director. “I really don’t think he really wanted to spend part of the winter here.”

Stephens said the Board of Trustees currently is searching for a replacement for Jacobson, someone who ultimately would become more than an interim chief financial officer.

St. John’s CEO Bruce Whitfield is grateful for Jacobson’s service.

“We are very thankful for all of Loren’s hard work and many accomplishments since he came on board last January,” Whitefield said. “His leadership and vision have really helped to set the financial direction for our organization.”

In the meantime, Stephens said since the Sept. 5 departure of Jacobson, the hospital has been calling upon Randy Nightingale, the outreach CFO of Kalispell Regional Medical Center, to fill in.

“We have Randy here two days a week,” Stephens said. “He helps out at other area hospitals, too.”

Whitfield said Nightingale has been a bridge until a permanent CFO can be found.

“Randy has an impressive resume and will make a great addition to our team until we find a permanent CFO,” Whitfield said.

Jacobsen was no stranger to healthcare in Montana. He has worked at St. Patrick Hospital and Health Sciences Center in Missoula, St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson, and at Madison Valley Medical Center in Ennis. He has also held various positions assisting other critical-access hospitals in both Montana and in Arizona on interim assignments.